CANSA bravely battles its way into the new year
CANSA made the decision to keep its care lodges open throughout the lockdown period so as to lessen the burden on those receiving cancer treatment.
There is no denying that 2020 was tough for most people. The corporate sector and even some government parastatals were greatly affected.
CANSA made the decision to keep its care lodges open throughout the lockdown period so as to lessen the burden on those receiving cancer treatment. One such a place is Nicus Lodge in Pretoria.
The CANSA Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) Nicus Lodge is situated on Tshwane District Hospital’s premises.
It supports Steve Biko and other local hospitals’ paediatric oncology units in Pretoria and offers home-from-home accommodation to parents, guardians and caregivers of children undergoing treatment far from their homes, particularly from Mpumalanga.
Parents and guardians may stay free of charge for the duration of their child’s treatment and 50 beds are available for them to use. The lodge is open all year.
This is ideal for parents who stay far away from treatment centres or who struggle with transport costs when taking their children for treatment. The majority of families that make use of the lodge are from Mpumalanga and neighbouring countries.
All are welcome to receive the care and support provided. It is then the responsibility of CANSA Mpumalanga (Mbombela office) to continue with the necessary support that the child and family might need when they are discharged and have returned home.
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Through the generosity of the greater Mbombela community, particularly the partners of the Christmas drop-box campaign and the Melusomuhle Foundation that transported the hampers to every family in the region, CANSA managed to give 82 families groceries and children’s toys.
“An initial drive by Tshepiso Phosa to get a toy for every child through her vast network of professional community influencers, with special mentions to Fat Cake City Nelspruit, Mobigo Solutions and Natasha Govendor and family, made our mission a reality, in turn providing for a jovial festive season for so many families,” said Sam Chigumbura, Mpumalanga region’s unit manager.
The below is a summary of free service delivery initiatives that took place from October to December:
• University of Mpumalanga – Breast cancer campaign
• Joubert en Seuns – Free breast screenings and HLRA
• Tonga Taxi Rank – Free breast screenings and PSA tests
• Crossing Shopping Centre – Free breast screenings (sponsored by the Pinky Phosa Foundation)
• Lowveld CANSA Care Centre – Hosted bikers from different provinces who were raising awareness and funds for CANSA patients (the amounts donated added up to about R35 000 plus groceries)
• Nelspruit Taxi Rank – Free breast cancer screenings and PSA tests
• Secunda Wellness Campaign – Free PSA and Smokerlyser tests
• Lydenburg SPAR Shopping Centre – Free breast and PSA tests
• Acornhoek Mall – Free breast and PSA tests.
TLC programme
• Food parcels were delivered to the following stations for TLC patients and families: Mbombela, Hazyview Mall, Acornhoek Mall and Malalane.
Cancer patients
• Food parcels were supplied to needy adult patients, with special thanks to the bikers for the donations.
• Some were supplied with stoma products, nappies, breast prosthesis and wigs upon request.
• Counselling either at CANSA Lowveld’s offices or at patients’ homes.
• Support groups on WhatsApp and Facebook are active in Witbank, Middelburg and Bronkhorstspruit. CANSA also managed to resume its in-house clinics in Mbombela, Barberton and in the Highveld.
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